The Hingham to Hull Ferry: What You Actually Need to Know
The Hingham-Montrose Place to Hull ferry is a 15-minute passenger crossing across the south end of Boston Harbor. It connects two South Shore towns that would otherwise require a 20-mile drive through Hingham Center and Cohasset. The service runs seasonal schedules, charges a modest fare, and operates on a small vessel that gets crowded on summer weekends. That is the entire thing in one sentence. I have been using this ferry repeatedly for about eight years, mostly in summer and early fall. Here is what you need before you show up at Montrose Place. The official source for the current schedule is the Town of Hingham's transportation page or the dedicated ferry website, which typically lists the season dates and time table. The summer season generally runs from late May through September, with the most frequent departures between Memorial Day and Labor Day. The winter schedule is significantly reduced, often operating only on weekends or not at all depending on the year and operator changes. Always verify the schedule the week before you go, because the published times are subject to weather cancellations and seasonal adjustments.
The Schedule and Frequency
During peak summer season, the ferry typically departs every 30 minutes on weekdays and sometimes more frequently on weekends. A typical summer weekday schedule might look like departures at 9:00 AM, 9:30 AM, 10:00 AM, continuing through the afternoon, with the last return trip from Hull usually around 7:00 or 7:30 PM. In the shoulder seasons and winter, departures drop to roughly once per hour or less, and some midweek trips may be canceled entirely if demand is low. The crossing itself takes approximately 12 to 15 minutes. If you miss a ferry, you are waiting 30 to 60 minutes for the next one depending on the season. This is the single biggest trap for first-time visitors who assume the service runs frequently year-round.
Fares and Payment
The current adult one-way fare is approximately $5.00, with round-trip fares around $9.00. Reduced fares are available for seniors and children. Payment is usually accepted in cash or by credit/debit card on board. There is no free transfer to other MBTA services on this particular crossing, so budget accordingly if you are combining the ferry with a train or bus trip afterward. The vessel is a small, open-air passenger ferry with indoor seating available. It carries roughly 50 to 60 passengers at a time. During July and August weekends, the boat fills up quickly and you may be standing for the entire crossing. Arriving 15 minutes before departure during peak season is a reasonable buffer. Outside of summer, you can show up 5 minutes early without issue. The deck gets windy even on calm days because you are exposed to open harbor conditions. Bring a light jacket in spring and fall. There are no restrooms on board, which matters more than you would expect on a short crossing when someone in your group needs one.
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A Practical Problem I Encountered
On a Saturday in mid-August last year, I arrived at Montrose Place expecting the ferry to be running on a strict half-hour interval. Instead, there was a posted notice about a mechanical delay and the next departure had been pushed back by 45 minutes. The operator had not updated the digital schedule, and the posted time board at the dock was showing the original timetable. I ended up waiting on the dock for nearly an hour. The workaround was straightforward: I called the ferry dispatch number listed on the town website, confirmed the delay directly with the crew, and used the extra time to grab coffee at the nearby Hingham waterfront cafe instead of standing around. Now I always check the schedule online and call ahead on weekends during peak season before heading to the dock. If you are coming from Boston or Cambridge, you will likely take the commuter rail to the Hingham station and then walk or bike to Montrose Place, which is about a 10-minute walk from the station. The Hingham station is on the Franklin/Foxborough line. From there, the ferry gets you to Hull without driving through traffic. Once you arrive at Hull's Centennial Landing, you are within walking distance of the waterfront restaurants and shops. If you need to go further inland, local taxi services are available, but rideshare coverage in Hull can be sparse, especially after the last ferry returns. I have been stranded once at Hull after the final crossing because no Uber or Lyft driver was available in the area. Having the local taxi number saved me that trip.
Common Pitfalls
Bicycles are allowed on the ferry, but during peak summer weekends the bike capacity is limited and you may be asked to wait for the next trip if the boat is at passenger capacity. The policy changes periodically, so check the current rules before bringing a bike in July or August. Pets are permitted on leashes, but the indoor area is small and can fill up fast. In poor weather conditions, everyone moves inside and the space becomes very tight. If you are traveling with a large dog and it is a rough day, standing on the open deck is usually the more comfortable option despite the wind. The ferry does not operate on certain holidays, and the schedule on the Monday after a holiday often reverts to a weekday timetable rather than the weekend schedule. Plan around that if you are using the ferry for a holiday weekend outing.
Where to Find the Current Schedule
The most reliable source is the Town of Hingham's official website under their transportation or ferry section. The URL is typically something like hinghamma.gov with a ferry schedule page linked from there. Third-party travel sites often have outdated information, especially regarding winter operations and holiday cancellations. The town's page is the source of truth and is usually updated within 48 hours of any schedule change. The ferry contact number is also listed on that page. I have used it twice for schedule confirmations and once to report a lost item. Response time is usually within a few minutes during operating hours, which is better than most municipal customer service lines.
Summary of What Works
Check the official schedule the week before your trip. Arrive at least 10 minutes early on weekdays and 20 minutes early on summer weekends. Carry exact change or a card for the fare. Bring a layer for wind and sun. Have the dispatch number saved on your phone in case of delays. And do not assume the ferry runs year-round on a fixed schedule, because it does not. The service is a practical shortcut across Boston Harbor, but it requires a little planning to use it without frustration.
